Gov. Pritzker Orders Flags Flown At Half-Staff For Juneteenth

ILLINOIS — Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff Friday for Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.

"The governor is committed to honoring both the celebration of Juneteenth and paying respect to those who lost their lives by lowering the flag in honor of them," a spokesman for the governor told NBC Chicago. "The governor recognizes that now, more than ever, Juneteenth is a day that reminds us that the fight for justice and equity across the nation is not over, and while we will celebrate the end of slavery, we must also recognize the systemic racism that has time and time again reared its ugly head and honor the memory of those who have died simply because of the color of their skin."

• What Is Juneteenth? 5 Things To Know About The Holiday

President Abraham Lincoln freed all enslaved persons in rebelling states by executive order on Jan. 1, 1863. But his Emancipation Proclamation had little immediate effect on those held deep in Confederate territory. It wasn't until more than 2 1/2 years later, on June 19, 1865, that Union Gen. Gordon Granger finally brought word to Galveston, Texas, that slavery had been abolished, resulting in celebrations. Slavery was outlawed nationwide a few months later with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.

Some local lawmakers, including Chicago state Rep. Shawn K. Ford and Oak Park state Rep. Camille Lilly, had urged Pritzker to lower flags to commemorate the holiday, saying "Black people are under the same duress of hate and racism" today in the "Land of Lincoln."

"When we think about Juneteenth, it did start something. It started something but really didn't finish it," Ford said at a news conference Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. "It started black people in America on a path to real freedom, but the work is still ongoing. As a government, we must lead in condemning hate and racism in our schools, communities and government bodies. I call on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to help lead our state to a better place by condemning hate and racism in Illinois."

Ford said the death of George Floyd created a "moment in time where the world stood up against racism and hate."

Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, is charged with murdering Floyd during an arrest in May. The incident was caught on video, sparking nationwide protests.

"Let us replace hate with love," Rep. Lilly said at the same event. "It is important we walk together forward and love will bring us where we need to be. We are part of one race."